Welcome to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Research Repository
Spatial distribution of nematode population densities and nematode damage in roots of three banana cultivars in Uganda
Abstract/Description
The spatial distribution of nematode populations and damage in roots of Nabusa (Musa AAA-group ‘Matooke’), Pisang Awak (Musa ABB) and Sukali Ndizi (Musa AB) three banana cultivars widely grown in Uganda, was investigated at three locations, each with a distinctive nematode population and composition. At Namulonge, central Uganda, where Radopholus similis was the dominant nematode species, and at Ntungamo, southwestern Uganda, where Pratylenchus goodeyi was the dominant species, suckers were removed from established mats and assessed for nematode reproduction and damage. At Namulonge, Ntungamo, and Mbarara, southwestern Uganda, where R. similis and P. good-eyi coexist, suckers removed three months after planting were assessed for nematode reproduction and damage. Nematode population density distribution along the primary roots was observed to be random for both plant types of the three cultivars at all locations. An exception was recorded for three-month-old sucker-derived plants of all three cultivars at Mbarara, where higher P. goodeyi densities were recorded closer to the corm. Nematode densities in primary roots, secondary roots, and root tips were generally not significantly different for both plant types of a single cultivar except for three month old sucker-derived Pisang Awak plants at Ntungamo where higher Meloidogyne spp. densities were observed in the root tips. Consistently, nematode damage (root necrosis) was higher (P<0.05) close to the corm than further along the primary roots, regardless of cultivar and location.